Abstract This is a research position paper on teenviolence. It presents brief reviews of 10 papers on teenviolence dealing with causes and effects. It looks at media violence and domestic violence and their impact. The paper includes an annotated bibliography.
From the Paper "Teenagers in the United States are no more violent than teenagers in other countries but are ten times more likely to die as a result of violence than their international peers and are more likely to be bullied. These results come from a study by the World Health Organization of youth in the US Ireland Israel Portugal and Sweden. Teens in all countries reported similar levels of fighting carrying weapons and being injured while fighting suggesting fighting may be part of normal adolescence ..."
This paper compares and contrasts two articles that try to explain the underlying causes of teenviolence: "Missing the Mark" by Jackson Katz and Sur Jhally and "Stop Blaming Kids and TV" by Mike Males.
Abstract This paper discusses how Katz and Jhally argue that teenviolence is a male-centric occurrence caused by socialization that promotes violent masculinity. Males provide a gender-neutral view of teenviolence that he believes is caused by parents who engage in domestic violence. It shows how both articles deal with the subject of teenage violence and avoid placing blame on teens for their troubled behavior. Instead, these articles present the idea of imitation as a cause of teenviolence, but they differ on who the kids are imitating.
From the Paper "Males presents his theory of teen violence in a gender-neutral presentation. He focuses on violence in general and omits cases of shootings and mass murder carried out by male teams such as the infamous Columbine High School event. Males points to differences in occurrences of violence between different races and classes as proof that images in mass media aren?t as important as family circumstances to contributing to the violence. According to Males, "In practical terms, media-violence theories are not about kids, but about race and class. If TV accounts for any meaningful fraction of murder levels amid poorer, nonwhite youth, why doesn"t it have the same effect on white kids?? Unlike Males, Katz and Jhally, believe that trying to view teen violence in a gender-neutral fashion will blind us from understanding and resolving the youth violence problem. They point to school shootings such as Columbine, murder, assault and rape as being predominately a male phenomenon. They also argue that girls are growing up in the same environment as males, but are not responding to their situation in the same violent ways as males are."
Abstract While the causes and symptoms associated with depression and teenviolence are well known, doctors and researchers have yet to develop and implement a clear, uniform, tried and proven method that would eliminate and/or prevent depression and teenviolence. The paper relates that one of the primary reasons depression and teenviolence is extremely difficult to eliminate and/or prevent is that while depression and teenviolence are often intertwined, individuals who suffer from depression may not exhibit symptoms of depression or violent tendencies until it is too late, i.e., until an unexpected, violent school shooting occurs. This paper analyzes and examines the multitude of issues related to depression and teenviolence. Part II outlines the causes and symptoms associated with depression. In Part III, the relationship between depression and teenviolence is explored. Finally, this paper concludes with recommendations eliminating and/or reducing depression and teenviolence.
From the Paper "Teen violence takes many forms, including assaults with or without weapons, emotional and physical bullying, gang violence, physical fights, school shootings, suicide, and threatening remarks. While teen violence has always been a problem in the United States, the number of deaths and serious injuries increased dramatically during the late 1980's and early 1990?s, as more and more teens began carrying guns, knives, and other weapons. However, in recent years, fewer teens are carrying weapons, teen murder arrests have dropped by almost 60%, and the arrest rate for violent crimes is down 36% from its peak in 1994. In order to fully understand the nature and extent of teen violence, it is crucial to examine facts and statistics regarding the issue."
Abstract This paper explores the correlation between viewing violence on television and violent behavior. Specifically, it looks at the problem of teenviolence and how violent television shows may be one of the factors promoting the violence. Some of the methods promoted for combating teenviolence are discussed, and different views on the issue, including the views of the author of the paper, are presented.
From the Paper "The United States is plagued by the never-ending crimes committed by teenagers that not only tear the family unit that holds the society together but also creates fear amongst others. The crimes that are committed include guns, gangs, sex and drugs. Violent crimes have become a major source of concern for many citizens in the United States. There are several reports and surveys that indicate that there has been a decline in violent crimes in the country but this decrease has been compensated with an increase in the national prison population. Ex-prisoners commit the most violent crimes. The authorities have developed many programs to counter-act crimes through gun control legislation, reform programs, victim rights awareness, but these programs have done little to eradicate violent crime. In this paper I will try to stage the views on this issue along with my own views."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the problem of teenage violence in society reflects the way certain influences shape the behavior of young people, notably peer pressure, media depictions, and the tensions of the teenage years. The writer points out that there is no one solution to the problem of teenviolence, just as there isn't one type of teenviolence, but an understanding of the variety of types of violence and of the influences on each can be a beginning to finding solutions. The writer concludes that the solutions to teenage violence that can be implemented now can be general, to reduce violence by getting young people to have more understanding of the consequences of their behavior, or specific, to reduce the possibility of one of the specific types of violence that are seen.
From the Paper "Sports is only one of the sources for violent images that may affect young people. Dietz notes the prevalence of violence in video games, and especially gender violence that may shape the behavior of young males toward females. The process of socialization for boys and gilds is different from the first, and each is encouraged to adopt certain traits characterized as masculine or feminine. These traits then affect the roles these individuals assume, as do images from television programs and advertisements. The popularity of video games gives the images in these games even greater power today, and Dietz notes how the lessons in many video games may contribute to a pervasive idea of male power over the female and so lead to gender violence."
Abstract The causes of teenviolence in America's society. This paper touches on the Littleton, Colorado school shooting incident in which 15 people were killed and then progresses to explore the different causes of this social tragedy. The paper discusses whether school causes or reflects violence, and how drugs, alcohol, the media and broken families can cause teenage violence. Finally, it examines the results of this specific form of violence on society.
From the Paper "Those individuals who see the school as the source of aggression argue that the school in one setting fosters all of the necessary conditions for violence and vandalism (Apter, Goldstein). They say the school labels various students as failures and by making their failures obvious to themselves and to others, forces youngsters toward aggression as a face-saving response. These youngsters, in turn, fulfill the negative expectations of their teachers and principles. On the other hand some view the school as the victim of aggression rather than its provoker. Is the school really provoking teens to act in the ways they do? It is believe, that this is not always true since we see cases in which the violent acts are done in elementary schools where the children say they get their examples from outside the school. So could it be that the violent offenders start at a very young age to get influenced by their surroundings to then act upon them in the future?"
Tags: vandalism, television, agression, Columbine, High, School
Abstract An examination of the myth that teens are violent thugs, with reference to newspaper coverage that appears to support the myth even when evidence is to the contrary. The paper examines the context of the issue.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the myth that teens are violent thugs as perpetrated in published media reports. The plan of the research will be to set forth the context in which that issue has surfaced in the modern period and then to use such ...'
A study proposal to examine the hypothesis that the provision of violence and substance abuse education and conflict resolution should reduce teen relationship violence.
Abstract This paper looks at how teenage relationship violence is due to factors in their environment, lack of education and support networks. It examines the thesis that increased interventions within schools, youth and community centers should reduce teenviolence in relationships, and increase knowledge about what constructs an abusive relationship. It proposes a study whose aim is to give teens vital information about abusive behavior within relationship and to provide information to parents, teachers, caregivers, administrative staff members and friends of peers about what to do if they believe a child may be in an abusive relationship.
Outline:
Introduction
Problem Statement
Hypotheses
Research Questions
The Study Rationale
The Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
The Research Methodology
Design
Inclusion Criteria
Sampling Recruitement of Subject
Intervention
Statical Analysis
From the Paper "The most common types of abuse amongst teens are emotional, verbal, as well as physical. Emotional and verbal abuse is manifested through name calling, bullying, teasing, threats and keeping them away from family members. Whereas, physical abuse takes on a more aggressive bodily harm such as hitting, shoving, grabbing, kicking or punching and sexual abuse or rape. (CDC, 2006). Each case may involve a multitude of warning signs visible to parents, friends and teachers of the occurring abuse within the teen's relationship. These warning signs include explained injuries, a dramatic drop in the child's grades, extreme mood swings, difficulty sleeping, isolation, drug and alcohol usage, eating disorders, depression, unwanted pregnancies and suicide attempts. "
An overview of teen pregnancy in the United States today that examines the impact of social welfare programs on encouraging and maintaining the high rate of teen pregnancies.
Abstract While the pundits debate on the best way to educate young people about the risks associated with early pregnancies, tens of thousands of babies in the United States will continue to suffer from the physical and emotional problems associated with early teen pregnancies; the social welfare system appears to be contributing to this phenomenon. This paper provides an overview of teen pregnancy in the United States today and examines the impact of social welfare programs on encouraging and maintaining the high rate of teen pregnancies. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.
From the Paper "Almost 80 percent of teen mothers eventually go on welfare which comprise more than 59 percent of the social welfare caseload. In fact, more than 75 percent of all unmarried teen mothers received welfare within five years of giving birth to their first child. The data for 1995 shows that 69 percent of births to teens in a five-year period were paid for by Medicaid or other government sources (?Adolescent Pregnancy and Childbearing in the U.S.,? 2001, 10). Teen pregnancies have also been associated with reduced educational attainment and employment opportunities. The research shows that less than one-third of teens who begin their families before age 18 ever complete high school. When compared to children born to women aged 20 and older, babies born to mothers aged 15-17 have poorer health, lower cognitive development, reduced educational attainments, and higher rates of behavior problems (?Adolescent Pregnancy and Childbearing in the U.S.,? 2001, 10-11). Although the teen pregnancy rate (the number of pregnancies per 1,000 teenage women) decreased to 101 in 1995 (the lowest level since 1975), nevertheless each year nearly one million American teenage women become pregnant, and four out of ten American teenage women become pregnant before the age of 20. During this same period, the outcome of teenage pregnancies has changed. Sixty-three percent of pregnant teenagers gave birth and 22 percent had abortions in 1995 compared to 1983 data which shows that 47 percent of teenagers gave birth and 43 percent had abortions (?Adolescent Pregnancy and Childbearing in the U.S.,? 2001, 2). The vast majority of teens who give birth prefer to keep their babies; in fact, fewer than 10 percent of teenagers who delivered babies chose adoption in 1995."
Abstract A paper on teen suicides. The paper explores how drugs, violence, sex and even peer pressure contribute to this devastating crime. The paper also looks at what parents can do to help their children cope.
Abstract This is a paper about gang violence, focusing on drug-related violence committed by gangs. It attempts to analyze the major causes behind such violence and whether the trend of gang violence is on the increase. The communities and demographic population in which such violence is most likely to occur is also discussed in addition to looking at certain possible ways of preventing or lessening gang violence.
From the Paper "The disturbing phenomenon of gang violence in the inner American cities has been a major concern of parents, communities, and the law-enforcing agencies for many years. Of late, several studies indicate that the nature of gang violence has changed, with lethal violence being more likely related to the drug trade than to gang rivalries. One such study shows that drug related violence represents between a third and half of all gang violence."
Abstract This paper focuses on drug-related violence committed by gangs. It attempts to analyze the major causes behind such violence and whether the trend the trend of gang violence is on the increase. The communities and demographic population in which such violence is most likely to occur are also discussed besides looking at certain possible ways of preventing or lessening gang violence.
From the Paper "The disturbing phenomenon of gang violence in the inner American cities has been a major concern of parents, communities, and the law-enforcing agencies for many years. Of late, several studies indicate that the nature of gang violence has changed, with lethal violence being more likely related to the drug trade than to gang rivalries. One such study shows that drug related violence represents between a third and half of all gang violence. The reasons behind such a trend are multifarious and linked to the nature of youth gang culture. It is essential to take a brief look at these reasons before we can analyze and discuss some of the ways by which drug-related gang violence can be controlled."
Abstract This paper offers a definition of dating violence and provides examples of incidents of dating violence. The paper also examines evidence concerning the extent of dating violence and looks at suggested ways of coping how to deal with it. Additionally, the paper discusses the underlying motivation of dating violence.
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at how Sawhill builds her case for the policies she puts forth regarding the prevention of teen pregnancy. The writer shows how Sawhill first begins her work by establishing the issue and her reasoning behind focusing on teen pregnancy which statistically appears to be a declining problem in the United States. The writer then looks at how she examines the points that support a declining teen pregnancy population as well as factors which indicate that this is not necessarily a reality.
The writer demonstrates that Sawhill continues to build her case by examining the efforts that have been made by a variety of entities, to include government and community groups, to prevent teen pregnancy in the country. Further the writer shows that through analysis of previous research and facts Sawhill makes determinations on these efforts, and then uses these facts to formulate recommendations on the issue. Sawhill's recommendations are then presented.
Abstract This paper looks at a case of teen pregnancy from the point of view of the 15-year old girl who comes from a conservative, religious family, her parents and the doctor in whom she confides. It looks at the medico-legal and ethical issues of the case; whether the doctor should tell the parents; what he should suggest the girl do; and should she go through with an abortion.
From the Paper "In its policy statement in the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP reaffirmed its position that the rights of adolescents to confidential medical care when considering an abortion should be protected Adolescents'. The AAP recommended that adolescents ...."
